Speaking of X, I must not understand the AUS very well. When Team A has beaten Team B twice, has clinched a spot higher in the playoffs, and has won more 4-point games, shouldn't it be ranked higher? That's what's happened to Dalhousie and St. FX. Now, I wouldn't have expected Dal to enter the top-10 at no. 7 or higher. So what does that say about St. FX's ranking then?

This isn't so much to me about how good Dalhousie is, but more about the puzzling respect Steve Konchalski's X-Men get every week. Perhaps it's because there aren't that many good teams outside the top-10 to replace them. Perhaps it's because they've stayed afloat with injury problems (but then again who hasn't). Perhaps it's their strong RPI. Whatever it is,though, X have arguably gotten away with more losses and questionable performances than any other Top-10 team.

GOING DOWN:

No. 10 Windsor Lancers: The Lancers' four game skid was brutal. But at least Isaac Kuon appears to have extricated himself from a slump, averaging 33.5 points in two games last week. As of right now, I think it's hard to differentiate between this team and Laurier, with the nod currently going to Windsor courtesy their 77-67 win last weekend. Their coming matchup this Saturday could potentially be for second place in the conference.

NR - Laurier Golden Hawks: The Hawks succumbed last week to what is known as the OUA West syndrome. I don't mean to say this is the best division in the country, but with so many good teams, it's hard to put a winning streak together. Put it this way; Guelph has beaten two pretty good teams in Mac and Windsor on the road, and they sport a lovely 7-11 record.

The Hawks have three guys in Kale Harrison, Max Allin and Pat Donnelly who can really fill it up, as well as a bunch of solid role players. They'll need a lot from each if they want to break out of the nightmare division they reside in.

THE "CLUMSY WAITER" PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK:
Cape Breton's Paris Carter dropped a lot of treys. [Ed. note: Groan. -RP] He also took 20 of them. When you're on, you're on. 46 points is nothing to sneeze at.

THE "NEED TO SHARPEN THAT SPURR" LINE TO FORGET OF THE WEEK:
St FX's Charlie Spurr, who went 1-for-7 in 19 minutes in a crucial loss to Dalhousie. They needed more from the fifth year guard in this one.

THE UPPER DECK TOP 10

Carleton - Can overcome the big obstacle to undefeatedness this weekend in Toronto.

UBC - On. A. Roll.

Saskatchewan - The Dogs continue to howl.

Cape Breton - the Jimmy Dorsey injury is very concerning.

Trinity Western - The last of the clear top-5 teams. Could easily be higher, too.

Lakehead - Got a wakeup call from Waterloo last week.

Windsor - That win over Laurier was huge.

Laurier - The third part of the OUA West big three.

Dalhousie - Are getting hot at the right time.

McGill - Even though Laval and Concordia have appeared the most here, I'm not sure McGill isn't the best team.

2 comments:

I too, wonder why X is always given such an inordinate amount of respect, whether it is deserved or not.The X-Men, though, had better win their way into Halifax by at least finishing second in the AUS tournament because if they think they'll be considered for a wild card berth, they are sadly mistaken.